The **New** Swan and Dolphin Resort thread ~ April 2012 ~ Please read post #1

[TheSpooph]

Thought I would add another option for Costco members. We just booked Feb. 22-27, 2013, through Costco's travel department. We have a 5 night stay with a 4 day park hopper for $1850. A better deal than AAA but I'm not sure about teachers or nurses. One catch: a deposit of $100 each is required immediately and it's non-refundable. But it was worth it for us - I'm in the Princess Half Marathon that weekend!

I forgot to mention that this includes all of the taxes and resort fees (but not parking)! So, if you add in the ~$14 resort fee and ~12.5% taxes, its a really good deal... and no, I don't work for Costco, but I love to walk their aisles!

 

[NancyIL]

The scent they use in the lobby at the Swan is stronger than at the Dolphin.

Just returned today from 5 nights at the Swan. The White Tea scent used in the Swan's lobby, which I love but was much too strong in the past, was barely noticeable. I loved the new White Tea bathroom products: bar soap, body wash, conditioner, shampoo, and lotion. I wasn't fond of the Bliss products previously used.

 

[elainyaeq]

We are set to check in on Thursday(so excited!!) I just looked online at my reservation and it says,"resort view/king bed" we booked a regular room(king bed). Does that mean we got upgraded? Or can that change at check in?

Very cool, i know this was a few months ago...but we're going to the Dolphin next Friday Aug 10...when do you check if your room type was upgraded? i reserved a standard last week, and it currentlystill reads limited view. Thanks

 

[elainyaeq]

Ohhhhh I spent the last 40 minutes looking at that map. Thank you for sharing!

http://binged.it/JV2OaT

This is a great map! Thank you! Thank you!

 

[mgpan]

So much great information in this thread for a first timer at the Dolphin! I do have two questions.

Do you still just call for room requests or is there a place to do so on-line, spg.com, hotels site, etc.?

How is the moisture issue in the hotel from anyone staying there recently? Some postings and other sites say it is an issue with potentially a moldy smell and damp bedding. I have a 3 year old with bad allergies and, since the windows don't open and a balcony room wasn't in the budget, I'm worried about a little one sneezing and itching during the day because of sleeping in the room at night.

Everything else looks like we will really enjoy our upcoming stay, and thanks again to all of you for the great information!

 

[SRUAlmn]

How is the moisture issue in the hotel from anyone staying there recently? Some postings and other sites say it is an issue with potentially a moldy smell and damp bedding. I have a 3 year old with bad allergies and, since the windows don't open and a balcony room wasn't in the budget, I'm worried about a little one sneezing and itching during the day because of sleeping in the room at night.

Everything else looks like we will really enjoy our upcoming stay, and thanks again to all of you for the great information!

I hadn't heard about the moisture problem before we went, but that's interesting because one of the biggest issues I had with the rooms was that the bathrooms didn't have exhaust fans I'm guessing that could really lead to a moisture problem! If it makes you feel any better, I didn't notice it as being an issue outside of the bathroom area

 

[lizabu]

So much great information in this thread for a first timer at the Dolphin! I do have two questions.

Do you still just call for room requests or is there a place to do so on-line, spg.com, hotels site, etc.?

How is the moisture issue in the hotel from anyone staying there recently? Some postings and other sites say it is an issue with potentially a moldy smell and damp bedding. I have a 3 year old with bad allergies and, since the windows don't open and a balcony room wasn't in the budget, I'm worried about a little one sneezing and itching during the day because of sleeping in the room at night.

Everything else looks like we will really enjoy our upcoming stay, and thanks again to all of you for the great information!

When you make your reservation online there is a field to enter your requests. If you already have a reservation if you go under your stays and select "change" there will be an edit my information option. You will see the box where you can add your request. The most common requests are in a drop down.

 

[Dan Murphy]

So much great information in this thread for a first timer at the Dolphin! I do have two questions.

Do you still just call for room requests or is there a place to do so on-line, spg.com, hotels site, etc.?

How is the moisture issue in the hotel from anyone staying there recently? Some postings and other sites say it is an issue with potentially a moldy smell and damp bedding. I have a 3 year old with bad allergies and, since the windows don't open and a balcony room wasn't in the budget, I'm worried about a little one sneezing and itching during the day because of sleeping in the room at night.

Everything else looks like we will really enjoy our upcoming stay, and thanks again to all of you for the great information!

Also set this up for your room and/or any other requests......


http://www.swandolphinconcierge.com/public/login.cfm

On my many S/D stays, room moisture has never been a problem for me, other than as SRU mentioned with no bathroom fan. Just a temporarily fogged mirror.

 

[pooh2001]

We just stayed in Dolphin room 5082 - resort view - 2012 late June into July with Tropical Storm Debbie and all her moisture.
We did not have any problem with humidity in the room or a foggy mirror.
We did have the A/C on in the room

 

[Lzylitnin]

I had a pre-paid reservation at the Swan. When Disney released free dining, I switched resorts to a Disney owned resort. My reservation had a one night penalty for cancellation, which I am not disputing. My problem is, I have not received a refund for the difference. I cancelled my reservation on July 12th. I have called several times, emailed, talked to SPG, etc. I am wanting to escalate this to a manager, as the people I have been dealing with are not handling this situation. The last person I spoke with said that my rate is non-refundable, but the email confirmation and email for the cancellation clearly states that the cancel fee is 1 night, and it lists the amount. I have forwarded this email to The Swan multiple times, with a request of a reply on what is being done. I have received no reply or confirmation that they have even received my emails. The last times, I had the CSR's name and personal email. That was 72 hours ago. The lack of communication is infuriating. Does anyone have an email for management at The Swan?

Thank you, Lzy

 

[mgpan]

Thank you for your replies, I appreciated your feedback and helpful hints!

 

[LexiC123]

I had a pre-paid reservation at the Swan. When Disney released free dining, I switched resorts to a Disney owned resort. My reservation had a one night penalty for cancellation, which I am not disputing. My problem is, I have not received a refund for the difference. I cancelled my reservation on July 12th. I have called several times, emailed, talked to SPG, etc. I am wanting to escalate this to a manager, as the people I have been dealing with are not handling this situation. The last person I spoke with said that my rate is non-refundable, but the email confirmation and email for the cancellation clearly states that the cancel fee is 1 night, and it lists the amount. I have forwarded this email to The Swan multiple times, with a request of a reply on what is being done. I have received no reply or confirmation that they have even received my emails. The last times, I had the CSR's name and personal email. That was 72 hours ago. The lack of communication is infuriating. Does anyone have an email for management at The Swan?

Thank you, Lzy

I always get an email following my stays, 'signed' by the General Manager of the S/D, Paul Scott. The email comes from GCCUSTSERVICE@info.starwoodhotels.com...not his personal email, but might be worth a shot.

I would also suggestion posting on the S/D Facebook wall. From what I've seen, they usually respond pretty quickly to issues/questions posted there.

Good luck. Hope you get your $$ back soon.

 

[melliej]

Has anyone had any luck booking a Swan or Dolphin deluxe alcove or suite with SPG points? When I called SPG, they only offered a standard room (10,000/night) or a resort view room with balcony (11,000). We were thinking of getting the deluxe alcove for a little more space, but not if I can't use points.
Thanks!

 

[Dan Murphy]

Just wanted to add a note on the 'foggy mirror' I posted above. It was only the bathroom mirror, in the bathroom itself, not the one in the room or at the second vanity outside the bathroom. And it was only when I took a shower, no other time. Just wanted to be clear there was no general hunidity problem I have experienced. And the mirror did 'unfog' a couple minutes after a shower.

 

[Lzylitnin]

Thank you, Lexi. I have been dealing with Starwood, since I originally made the reservation through my Starwood account. They are saying that the money has to be refunded through the resort. When I spoke with the billing department, they tell me that this reservation is non-refundable. I have all of the emails confirming and cancelling my reservation, with the cancellation terms and amounts on them, that I have forwarded to this person in billing, with a request for confirmation that they have received it and a response on how this issue is being handled. I have yet to receive any communication from this individual or The Swan. I'd be happy with any communication at this point, even communication disputing my claim, so I would know how to proceed.

I just sent an email to the individual in billing that I was dealing with and copied Mr. Scott on it. Wish me luck!

 

[RachelTori]

Just wanted to add a note on the 'foggy mirror' I posted above. It was only the bathroom mirror, in the bathroom itself, not the one in the room or at the second vanity outside the bathroom. And it was only when I took a shower, no other time. Just wanted to be clear there was no general hunidity problem I have experienced. And the mirror did 'unfog' a couple minutes after a shower.

Dan, I think especially with the A/C on in the room, the humidity - even after a shower - isn't a problem. When I've needed the bathroom mirror de-fogged quickly, the blow dryer did the trick!

I do remember several years back when some posters complained about a musty smell in some of the Swan rooms (if I'm remembering correctly). All the rooms have been refurbished since those reports and I haven't seen any "musty" complaints for quite some time!


To the poster whose child has allergies, I would suggest contacting the hotel and requesting a "deep clean for health reasons". In 2010 I needed to have a room that was dust-free. I made the request and my room was spotless! I can't guarantee they actually did a deep clean, but that room had to be the cleanest hotel room I've ever stayed in! )

 

[mgpan]

I'll put a request for a deep clean in to the hotel.

 

[baler31]

Thank you, Lexi. I have been dealing with Starwood, since I originally made the reservation through my Starwood account. They are saying that the money has to be refunded through the resort. When I spoke with the billing department, they tell me that this reservation is non-refundable. I have all of the emails confirming and cancelling my reservation, with the cancellation terms and amounts on them, that I have forwarded to this person in billing, with a request for confirmation that they have received it and a response on how this issue is being handled. I have yet to receive any communication from this individual or The Swan. I'd be happy with any communication at this point, even communication disputing my claim, so I would know how to proceed.

I just sent an email to the individual in billing that I was dealing with and copied Mr. Scott on it. Wish me luck!

Dispute the charge through your cc. It is removed immediately while they research the charge. You may need to provide the paperwork for your cancellation. Trust me, things get worked out very quickly this way.

 

[ClearScreen]

Just an FYI, we had booked a standard room at the Swan for 8/17-8/25 using a AAA Discount for $161/night. We then learned that, since we booked, AAA added a bigger discount for stays of over 5 nights. I called the Swan and was able to change the reservation. Now we are paying about $143/night and getting a $50 resort credit:

http://deals.westin.com/Walt-Disney...8/so.htm?IM=PP_LHN_SOP_US_WI_1018&iATANumber=

I believe the offer is available for the Dolphin as well.

 

[NancyIL]

Thank you, Lexi. I have been dealing with Starwood, since I originally made the reservation through my Starwood account. They are saying that the money has to be refunded through the resort. When I spoke with the billing department, they tell me that this reservation is non-refundable. I have all of the emails confirming and cancelling my reservation, with the cancellation terms and amounts on them, that I have forwarded to this person in billing, with a request for confirmation that they have received it and a response on how this issue is being handled. I have yet to receive any communication from this individual or The Swan. I'd be happy with any communication at this point, even communication disputing my claim, so I would know how to proceed.

I just sent an email to the individual in billing that I was dealing with and copied Mr. Scott on it. Wish me luck!

This is what I was asked to tell you when I forwarded your post to someone in the reservations department:

Call the 800 # (227,1500) and ask for the Reservations Sales Teamleader (as that is where it would end up to be resolved)

It would be Karen this AM, Philip this evening…